“The Greatest,” “Solitary Man,” 105 More Heading to Hamptons

"The Greatest," "Solitary Man," 105 More Heading to Hamptons

The 17th annual Hamptons International Film Festival has unveiled its program of 107 films including 15 World Premieres, 10 North American Premieres, and 18 US Premieres. The 2009 edition of the festival runs Thursday, October 8th through Monday, October 12th (including Columbus Day weekend) in East Hampton, New York with additional venues in Southampton, Sag Harbor and Montauk.

Shana Feste’s “The Greatest,” starring Susan Sarandon and Pierce Brosnan, will open the festival on October 8th. The film is the story of a family disintegrating as they deal with the death of their child and another son’s drug use. This year’s centerpiece event will be the US premiere of Brian Koppelman’s “Solitary Man,” starring Michael Douglas as a New York businessman experiencing a severe midlife crisis. Finally, the festival will close with the US Premiere of Heath Ledger’s last film, “The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus,” directed by Terry Gilliam. Among the special events taking place at the festival is a special benefit screening of “8,” a collection of short films by 8 directors (including Mira Nair, Wim Wenders, Jane Campion and Gus Van Sant), with all proceeds going to Mira Nair’s Maisha Film Lab, and conversations with actors Sharon Stone, Alan Alda, Steve Buscemi, and Martin Bregman.

The winner of the festival’s top award, the Golden Starfish for Best Narrative Feature, receives over $165,000 in goods and in-kind services, while Best Documentary Feature and Best Conflict and Resolution Film winners receive $5,000.

“In addition to a year of fantastic films, panels and events, this is also a year where we will be collaborating with many important organizations,” said the festival’s Executive Director Karen Arikian in a statement. “We are thrilled to be working with Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Foundation, Mira Nair’s Maisha Foundation, recognizing the 75th Anniversary of the New York Film Critic’s Circle, as well as continuing our long and fruitful partnership with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Each of these organizations play a vital and unique role in advancing film and filmmaking in our world today.”

“From the searing reality of our opening night film, to the imaginative whimsy of this our closer, this year’s program showcases a wide variety of viewpoints and voices from around the world,” remarked Director of Programming David Nugent in a statement. “I continue to be impressed with the breadth and intensity of filmmakers in their drive to bring their visions the screen.”

The 2009 Hamptons International Film Festival lineup (synopses courtesy of HIFF):

Golden Starfish Narrative Competition

“A Rational Solution” (North American, Premiere) Director Jorgen Bergmark with Rolf Lassgard, Pernilla August, Stina Ekblad, Claes Ljungmark, Magnus RoosmanAgainst his better judgment, married Erland has fallen in love with his best friend’s wife. His rational solution is for all four to move in together until the passion inevitably subsides. Insightfully observed and superbly acted, Jorgen Bergmark’s film begins as simple and ordered, only to mature into a nuanced, heartbreakingly authentic portrait of love, fidelity, marriage and monogamy.

“Applause” (United States Premiere) Director Martin Pieter Zandvliet with Paprika Steen, Michael Falch, Sara Marie Maltha, Shanti Roney, Otto Leonardo Steen Rieks, Noel Koch-Sofeldt, Malou ReymannRecently divorced Thea is struggling to give up drinking and regain custody of her two boys. But staying on the wagon isn’t easy when every night she receives clamorous applause from audiences for stage performances that all-to-closely resemble the former self that she is trying to leave behind.

“Jaffa” (United States Premiere) Director Keren Yedaya with Dana Ivgy, Moni Moshonov, Ronit Elkabetz, Mahmoud Shalaby, Roy Assaf, Hussein Yassin Mahajneh, Lili IvgyFollowing up her international success with Cannes Camera D’Or winning film OR (MY TREASURE), director Keren Yedaya introduces another stunning and complex family drama with JAFFA. A star-crossed secret romance develops between a Jewish girl and an Arab man, but tragedy interrupts the young lovers’ intentions to elope and escape their intolerant families.

“Big River Man” (East Coast Premiere) Director John Maringouin with Martin Strel, Borut Strel, Matthew MohlkeJohn Maringouin intrepidly follows unlikely long distance swimming champion Martin Strel on his journey to complete the world’s longest ever swim: the Amazon River. The adventure of a lifetime, the film follows the swimmer and his team on their wildly dangerous and life-altering journey.

“Long Distance Love” (New York Premiere) Directors Magnus Gertten, Elin Jonsson with Alisher Sultanov, Dildora SultanovAlisher and Dildora are in love in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. To support his new family, Alisher is forced leave his new bride to try to make it big in Moscow. While the newlyweds’ earnest love has a sweetness stronger than their 3,500 mile divide, their relationship is now beset by challenges more dire than distance alone.

“Mugabe and the White African” Directors Lucy Bailey & Andrew Thompson with Michael Campbell, Ben Freeth“Is it possible to be a white man and African?” This daring film follows the story of Mike Campbell who, in 2008, took the government of Zimbabwe and President Robert Mugabe to international court for violation of human rights in an effort to preserve his farm amid state-sanctioned “Land Reform” initiatives tantamount to the ethnic cleansing of whites.

“Videocracy” (US Premiere) Director Erik GandiniA jolly, Mussolini-loving agent, an aspiring martial artist/singer, a paparazzo wrangler-cum-outlaw and the prime minister of Italy are just a few of the outlandish personalities in this documentary that explores the mad world of Italian television.

“Waking Sleeping Beauty” (East Coast Premiere) Director Don Hahn with Roy Disney, Jeffrey Katzenberg, John Musker, Glen Keane, Howard AshmanBy the mid-1980s, the once mighty Disney Animation Studios was in a slump. By the end of 1990s, however, Disney had produced a string of bona fide hits from “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” to “The Lion King.” Director Don Hahn’s juicy behind-the-scenes tell-all of this transitional period is an encyclopedia of the tragic lows and elating highs of the Disney renaissance.

Spotlight Films

“Con Artist” Dir. Michael Sladek with Mark Kostabi, Michel Gondry, Glenn O’Brien, Baird Jones, Pope Benedict XVIMid-level collectors and art fans around the world clamor to buy Mark Kostabi’s canvases, but his involvement in those creations is controversial. Collaborating with painters and designers, he often lends no more than his signature to a work. Intimate footage of Kostabi at home and interviews with friends and celebrities investigate the unusual motivations of this art establishment outsider.

“Desert Flower” (North American Premiere) Dir. Sherry Hormann with Liya Kebede, Sally Hawkins, Craig Parkinson, Meera Syal, Soraya Omar-Scego, Anthony Mackie, Juliet StevensonThe unbelievable true story of Waris Dirie, a Somalian nomad who would become a top supermodel, and use her influence to affect the lives of countless women all over the world. Tracing Dirie’s path from traumatized child to triumphant adult, the film is an incredible tale of one woman’s remarkable courage.

“Dirty Oil” (Canada, US, England, World Premiere) Dir. Leslie Iwerks with Neve Campbell (narration), Lester Brown, Kevin Timoney, Andrew NikiforukThe oil sands in the Canadian Providence of Alberta are a source of a vast supply of petroleum, but the effects of extracting it are highly controversial. This probing documentary explores the environmental, health and moral ramifications of this booming business, offering hard statistics, sobering forecasts and frightening cautionary tales.

“John Rabe” (Germany, France, China, North American Premiere) Dir. Florian Gallenberger with Ulrich Tukur, Daniel Bruhl, Anne Consigny, Dagmar Manzel, Zhang JingchuJohn Rabe’s spent years in Nanking building a career, remaining steadfastly loyal to his wife, his company, his country and the National Socialist party. When Japanese forces begin their brutal occupation of the city, Rabe’s conscience is awakened and he joins with a cynical American doctor and a motley group of expatriates to save the citizens of Nanking.

“Learning from the Light: The Vision of I.M. Pei” (USA, World Premiere) Dirs. Bo Landin, Sterling Van WagenenOne of the most distinguished architects of our time, I.M. Pei has spent his storied career creating designs for some of the world’s most treasured structures. LEARNING FROM LIGHT chronicles Pei’s adventures through a recent and historically monumental challenge: his commission to design the Museum of Islamic Art for Doha, Qatar.

“Paper Man” (USA, East Coast Premiere) Dirs. Michele Mulroney & Kieran Mulroney with Jeff Daniels, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Kieran Culkin, Hunter Parrish, Lisa KudrowRichard Dunn is a failed writer, husband and adult who adjourns to a cottage in the Hamptons to complete his latest novel. Unfortunately, he’s followed everywhere by Captain Excellent, an imaginary friend he has been unable to shake since childhood. Richard finds comfort in an unlikely friendship with a neighborhood teen. A darkly comic “coming-of-middle-age” story set against the picturesque backdrop of Montauk in winter.

“Tanner Hall” (USA, USA Premiere) Dirs. Francesca Gregorini, Tatiana von Furstenberg with Rooney Mara, Georgia King, Brie Larson, Amy Ferguson, Chris Kattan, Amy Sedaris, Tom Everett ScottA vivid peek into the private world of an all-girls boarding school. The knot of adolescent complexity is unraveled through the coming-of-age stories of four teenage girls when their friendship is jeopardized by the arrival of a new girl.

“Stolen Lives” (USA, World Premiere) Dir. Anders Anderson with Josh Lucas, Jon Hamm, Rhona Mitra, James Van Der Beek, Jimmy BennettCutting back and forth from present day to the 1950’s, “Stolen Lives” weaves together the stories of two missing boys. Detective Tom Adkins is obsessed by the disappearance of his son eight years ago. When the remains of a child buried alive fifty years ago are discovered they seem to shed new light on the mystery of his own son’s vanishing.

“Tenure” (USA, World Premiere) Dir. Mike Million with Luke Wilson, Gretchen Mol, David Koechner, Bob Gunton, Rosemarie DeWittIn this comedic and romantic send-up of academia, Associate Professor Charlie Thurber begrudgingly prepares for one more attempt at a tenure position. Just as he starts to feel the long awaited promotion is within his grasp, an impressive new professor is brought on staff. Charlie’s best friend convinces him the only solution is to sabotage his new competition, but Charlie soon finds his professional aspirations and personal emotions leading him down different paths.

“Uncertainty” (USA, USA Premiere) Dirs. David Siegel, Scott McGehee with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lynn Collins, Assumpta Serna, Olivia Thirlby, Louis Arcella, Nelson Landrieu, Manoel FelcianoScott McGehee and David Siegel’s latest film explores the very different directions our lives can take with just one decision. Perched atop the Brooklyn Bridge, young lovers Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Lynn Collins flip a coin and send the film’s narrative down two separate tracks that are alternately thrilling and moving: just like life itself.

-Continues on page 2-

World Cinema Features

“The Agony and the Ecstasy of Phil Spector” (North American Premiere) Director Vikram JayantiPhil Spector is a pioneer of American music, a legendary producer to John Lennon and Tina Turner, and, as of April 13th 2009, a convicted murderer. Director Vikram Jayanti overlays unprecedented personal interviews with harrowing court footage and original music recordings to create a dizzying portrait of genius and insanity, and a profound insight into a notorious subject.

“Corso: The Last Beat” (North American Premiere) Director Gustave Reininger with Gregory Corso, Ethan Hawke, Allen Ginsberg, Patti SmithGregory Corso, the youngest of the influential Beat Poet movement, is given his own spotlight in Gustave Reinenger’s affectionate documentary. Reinenger’s long friendship with Corso late in his life affords him an intimacy with his iconic subject and Corso’s larger-than-life character is captured like lightning in a bottle.

“The Crimson Wing; Mystery of the Flamingos” (East Coast, Premiere) Directors Matthew Aeberhard & Leander WardOn Lake Natron in Northern Tanzania, an island of salt emerges from the water. Set against the lush and dramatic colors of the African landscape, elegant flamingos struggle against predators and the environment to ensure that the next generation makes it back to the salt shore. “The Crimson Wing” is gorgeous and moving nature documentary for the whole family.

“Daniel and Abraham” (World Premiere) Director Ryan Eslinger with Gary Lamadore, David WilliamsTo spread his father’s ashes, Daniel’s traveled to the mountains of upstate New York. There he meets Abraham, a mysterious man whose condescending helpfulness becomes increasingly sinister. This small feature recalls the work of Samuel Beckett and Jack London, contrasting the natural beauty of its winter setting with sudden violence.

“Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement” (East Coast Premiere) Director Greta Olafsdottir with Edie Windsor, Thea SpyerHamptons residents Edie Windsor and Thea Spyer share a fairy tale romance they fell in love at first sight in the West Village nearly fifty years ago and their passion for each other would endure for decades. Yet as a lesbian couple, they would have to wait their entire adult lives to be able to legalize their union.

“Five Hours From Paris” (United States Premiere) Director Leon Prudovsky with Dror Keren, Elena Yaralova, Vladimir FreedmanMid-life quandaries are candidly addressed with both authenticity and humor in FIVE HOURS FROM PARIS, a refreshingly sincere and mature romance. When he unexpectedly falls for his son’s music teacher, Yigal (Dror Keren), a painfully passive taxi driver on the eve of mid-life, feels compelled to take charge of his future more than ever before.

“Forbidden Fruit” (Kielletty hedelma) (North American Premiere) Director Dome Karukoski with Marjut Maristo, Amanda Pilke, Malla Malmivaara, Joel Mäkinen, Jarkko NiemiWhen Raakel’s best friend Maria leaves their cloistered religious community to experience life in the city, she follows, ostensibly to protect Maria from the predations of “The Arch Fiend” and, hopefully, bring her back to the fold. As the two young women explore their new surroundings both of them change in unexpected ways in this quiet, affecting drama.

“Here and There” Director Darko Lunuglov with David Thornton, Mirjana Karanovic, Cyndi Lauper, Branislav Trifunovic, Antone Pagan, Fedja Stojanovic, Goran RadakovicRobert is a middle-aged musician barely getting by in New York when he meets Branko, a young Serbian immigrant desperate to bring his girlfriend to America. On the promise of five grand Robert travels to Belgrade for a quick green card marriage. But a simple plan becomes complicated when Branko fails to pay and Robert falls for Branko’s beautiful mother.

“How To Live Forever” (World Premiere) Director Mark S. WexlerDirector Mark Wexler embarks on a worldwide trek to investigate just what it means to grow old and what it could mean to really live forever. Featuring interviews with everyone from a chain-smoking, beer-drinking centenarian marathoner to an elder porn star and health, fitness, and life-extension experts, Wexler‚Äôs engaging new documentary challenges our notions of youth and aging with comic poignancy.

“In My Hands: A Story of Marfan Syndrome” (World Premiere) Directos Brenda Siemer Scheider, Emma MorrisIt is estimated that 1 in 5000 people in the United States have Marfan Syndrome, a genetic disorder of the body’s connective tissue. “In My Hands” follows the inspirational stories of a group of children and adults living with Marfan.

“Little Soldier” (East Coast Premiere) Director Annette K. Olesen with Trine Dyrholm, Finn Nielsen, Lorna Brown, Rasmus Botoft, Jens Jorn SpottagTough and masculine Lotte (Trine Dyrholm) has just returned from military service in Afghanistan to the town in Denmark where her father runs an underground brothel. Offered employment as driver for her father’s mistress and top earner, Lily, the two women start out at odds, but soon the two women bond and their lives become unpredictably intertwined.

“Love and Rage” (US Premiere) Director Morten Giese with Cyron Melville, Sara Hjort, Dejan Cukic, Charlotte FichDaniel is a gifted young piano student, a loner until he meets Sofie, another young music student who opens his life to more than just music. But as his affection grows, so does an all-consuming jealousy which begins to rip him apart and expose the pent-up rage that has always been simmering beneath.

“The Ladies Get Their Say” (US Premiere) Director Enzo Monteleone with Margherita Buy, Isabella Ferrari, Marina Massironi, Alba RohrwacherFour women in the 1960s and their four daughters in the present day experience parallel joys and woes in their personal lives.

“The Messenger” Director Oren Moverman with Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton, Jena Malone, Eamonn WalkerA superbly crafted new drama that feels like an instant classic. Ben Foster gives a stunning performance of a lifetime as Will Montgomery, an injured soldier who returns from Iraq to serve his last few months of active duty notifying families of the deaths of loved ones lost in combat.

“The Men Who Stare At Goats” (Special Screening) Director Grant Heslov with George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacy, Stephen Lang, Nick Offerman, Tim GriffinIn a comedic look at real life events that are almost too bizarre to believe, a reporter discovers a top-secret wing of the U.S. military when he accompanies an enigmatic Special Forces operator on a mind-boggling mission.

“Mammoth” (North American Premiere) Director Lukas Moodyson with Gael Garcia Bernal, Michelle Williams, Marife Necesito, Sophie Nyweide, Run Srinikornchot, Tom McCarthy, Jan Nicdao“Mammoth” revolves around successful New York couple Leo (Gael Garcia Bernal), the creator of a booming website, and Ellen (Michelle Williams), a dedicated emergency surgeon. Their daughter Jackie spends most of her time with her nanny and Ellen is starting to question her priorities. When Leo travels to Thailand on business, he unwittingly sets off a chain of events that will have dramatic consequences for everyone.

“Max Manus” (US Premiere) Directors Joachim Roenning & Espen Sandberg with Aksel Hennie, Kyrre Haugen Sydness, Mads Eldoen, Christian Rubeck, Nicolai Cleve Broch, Agnes Kittelsen, Ken DukenBased on the true story of the famed resistance fighter, “Max Manus” follows the exploits of the title character as hejoins the Norwegian resistance movement and becomes one of the most important members of the so-called Oslo Gang, carrying out spectacular raids against German ships in Oslo harbor, including the sinking of the slave ship Donau.

“Millenium: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (US Premiere) Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace, Sven-Bertil Taube, Peter Haber, Lena EndreStieg Larsonís “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” the first in the three-part Millenium trilogy, is one of the decade’s major literary success stories. The first book in the series is brought to the big screen by acclaimed filmmaker Niels Arden Oplev, whose “We Shall Overcome” won our Audience Award in 2006.

“My Words, My Lies, My Love” (North American Premiere) Director Alain Gsponer with Daniel Bruhl, Hannah Herzsprung, Henry HubchenThe proverbial Death of the Author theory is taken literally in this fresh rags to riches romantic comedy starring Daniel Bruhl. A timid waiter named David Kern (Bruhl) has become a sudden and unlikely literary star with the publication of a best-selling novel. The catch? He didn’t actually write it.

“Racing Dreams” Director Marshall Curry with Brandon Warren, Josh Hobson, Annabeth Barnes“Racing Dreams” follows the lives of Annabeth (11 years-old), Josh (12), and Brandon (13), as they race around a concrete track at speeds of up to 70 mph in the World Karting Association’s National Championship, learning about the adult worlds of love, money, family troubles and corporate sponsorship along the way.

“Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags” (US Premiere) Director Marc Levin with Bruce Raynor, Charles Kernaghan, Joe Raico, Stan Herman, Irving RoussoProduced by HBO Films, filmmaker Mark Levin chronicles the century-long story of the American garment industry, from its Lower East Side sweatshop beginnings to its booming post-WWII rise as an emblematic American/New York City institution and its devastating fall at the hands of a post-Reagan global economy.

“Serious Moonlight” Director Cheryl Hines with Meg Ryan, Timothy Hutton, Kristen Bell, Justin LongAfter she arrives at her country home for a romantic weekend getaway, things don’t go exactly as planned for high-powered Manhattan lawyer Louise (Meg Ryan). First, her husband of 13 years, Ian (Timothy Hutton), tells her that he’s leaving her for a younger woman (Kristen Bell). Then, one thing leads to another, and pretty soon Ian finds himself held captive by an oddly cool Louise who explains that she won’t release him until he professes his love for her and commits to working on their marriage. And that’s when things REALLY start to go wrong. The unexpected arrival of an opportunistic young gardener (Justin Long) and Ian’s impatient mistress only serve to complicate the crisis even further, while somehow forcing Louise and Ian to reckon with their past and realistically deal with their future.

“Seven Minutes in Heaven” Director Omri Givon with Reymonde Amsellem, Eldad Prives, Ndav NatesAn ethereal mystery story about tragedy and love, “Seven Minutes in Heaven” tackles the weighty notion of fate with rare artistry. Grieving and injured by a suicide bomber, young Galia tries to piece her life back together with the help of Boaz, a kind stranger who enters her life when she most needs him.

“Shadow Billionaire” Director Alexis Manya SpraicAfter DHL founder Larry Hillblom failed to return from a flight in his vintage Seabee over the Pacific, bar girls throughout Southeast Asia came forward claiming to have had children by him. The film unravels the scandalous life of this reclusive tycoon as the battle over his estate takes on epic proportions, pitting impoverished, teenage prostitutes against Larry’s former business associates and several of the largest law firms in the world.

“Surrogate” (North American Premiere) Director Tali Shalom Ezer with Amir Wolf, Lana Ettinger, Rosina Kambus, Liat Glick, Yonatan SwriskiSuffering from deep-seated sexual trauma, Eily chooses to undergo a highly unusual form of therapy to help him overcome wounds that prevent him from experiencing any kind of intimacy. A sensitive portrait of a damaged soul, “Surrogate” delicately explores the profoundly personal course of psychological recovery.

“Tears of April” (East Coast Premiere) Director Aku Louhimies with Samuli Vauramo, Pihla Viitala, Eero Aho, Eemeli Louhimies, Riina MaidreAt the end of Finland’s civil war in 1918, the government-supported Whites are rounding up the Social Democratic Reds. Private Aaro Harjula cannot tolerate the cruel abuses he has witnessed and insists on taking Miina Malin, a young Red platoon leader, to await trial. Along the way Aaro and Miina develop a connection that will force Aaro to make an agonizing choice.

“Van Diemen’s Land” (US Premiere) Director Jonathan auf der Heide with Oscar Redding, Arthur Angel, Paul Ashcroft, Torquil Neilson, Mark Winter, Thomas Wright, Greg Stone – When Alexander Pearce and a group of fellow convicts stage a escape from their penal colony and take flight across the forbidding landscape, they are unprepared for the lengths they’ll have to go to in order to survive. This harrowing re-telling of an infamous true story is a chilling depiction of the growth of evil.

“War Against the Weak” (New York Premiere) Director Justin Strawhand with John Hockenberry, Ashley Lazarus“War Against the Weak” is the terrifying history of eugenics, arguably the most dangerous pseudoscience of all time, conceived by American scientists and put into practice in the US for the greater part of the twentieth Century. The goal of eugenics was to create a master race of humans, and eliminate those considered “unfit.”

“Wild Art: Olly & Suzi” (US Premiere) Director Rupert MurrayOlly, a man with a lust for the outdoors, teams up with Suzi, once a rising star in the art world, in the pursuit of an extreme and authentic artistic creation. They create under the most extreme conditions, channeling the clarity of that moment onto the paper in front of them. Director Rupert Murray offers a view into the lives, adventures and creative processes of two remarkable artists.

[To view the complete lineup, including short films and Films of Conflict and Resolution, visit The Hamptons International Film Festival’s official website.]